GetOFFmyDot

Sad news is coming tonight. it is very disappointing, but not terribly surprising aome but probably very shocking to others. This news will lead to a lot of conversation. I feel so bad for how this will impact many people. There is going to be alot of pain.

BK has made a bad decision by hiring her; it's disappointing and says a great deal about what they value. Best of luck recruiting a color guard with someone who has shown themselves to be unaware of trans issues (at best) and/or transphobic. This activity will not be better for all until we demand better. It's important things like this get CALLED out. Enough is enough.

I’m not trying to defend Mandarins, but they did terminate him. Not for behavior that was brought to their attention, but for failing to participate in the investigation into Ike Jackson (another person they terminated). I believe they shared their investigation with WGI. I know the health and safety team (and administration) at Mandarins acted swiftly in doing the right thing. I would feel very comfortable with my child marching at Mandarins. I did hear that Mario was providing some informal consulting to at least two corps this summer. Which, sadly, doesn’t surprise me. This activity really needs to get its act together. Ugh

Wait, so the Cavaliers are hiring someone who chose-to-resign-before-being-fired from WCU for hazing (and other problematic behavior)!?!? This is disappointing and infuriating. Abuse and bad behavior is so woven into the core of Drum Corps that I’m doubting if the activity can ever truly become a safe place for members

Wait, the Cavaliers are bringing back someone who was “given the opportunity to resign before being fired” from WCU because of hazing!?!! What the actual F. And folks wonder why Drum Corps has such systemic issues with abuse and harmful behavior. this is not something to celebrate - it is a slap in the face to everyone who has bravely spoken out about abuse and bad behavior within DCI. I hope more people speak out against this bad, bad decision.

Mandarins has an incredible strong organizational structure (not to mention a long history) that has led them to where they are now. Pacific Crest has significantly less resources, less history, and significantly less supporters/volunteers. This is not a knock on PC at all - it's explaining why the comparison isn't exactly fair. I think PC has a bit of a recruitment problem. Some friends had a kid in SCVC and they said there were more people from Southern California marching SCVC than from Northern California. I find that a little hard to believe, but all the kids I met when talking to him after a show were either from Southern California or going to college in Southern California (and were from out of state).

I think the Mandarins show is amazing and looking forward to them breaking 90. Their ascent the past few years has been incredible. To see an organization thriving in such a challenging environment is spectacular.

Sorry! mods, please remove.

I think the judges didn’t see my post that the scores were going to be close - real close, in fact. I hope they read my posts for world championships.

It’s gonna be close y’all. Real close.

Ohhhhh interesting for sure!!!!

Respectfully, SCV needs to have a conversation with Katie Hopkins and set the expectation that her father not attend - and if that isn't possible, she should not attend any events (it has been said that he is attending to see his daughter). Is it fair? Absolutely not. But do you know what also isn't fair, getting sexually assaulted by someone and having them repeatedly continue to screw you over.

Respectfully, (unfounded) fears of litigation should never take precedence over protecting youth and marching members. Attempts to dissuade and squash discussion of a predator who attacked several folks attending a youth event should concern everyone. Survivors of abuse have the right to attend the activity the love without risk of having to see the person who assaulted them. Let's all do better to protect youth.

The above comment is why cultures of abuse continue to exist. LEAN IN and let's create environments that protect youth and marching members. Let's be better and create an activity that protects the safety of it's members.

This is a messy, tough, and important thing to recognize. DCI is failing, yet again, to protect those that he abused and assaulted. More troublesome is that he has direct connection to SCV and if (as somewhat implied) his contributions to his connection to SCV are being implemented, it seems SUPER shady. That arrangement makes me super uncomfortable. Ugh. Let's not hide our eyes or turn away. DCI has an abuse problem and until things like this are handled quickly and promptly, they will continue to have an abuse problem. The fact he is posting about attending DCI events is re-victimizing the survivors of his abuse.

My brain says Blue Knights, but my heart says The Colts!

The guard is .3 away from SCV!! Wow.

I would love to see the following movies turned into drum corps shows. I have assigned the corps I would like to see perform the show. Black Swan - Phantom Regiment Mighty Wind - The Cadets Clerks - Seattle Cascades To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar - Blue Devils Clueless - Pacific Crest Can't Buy Me Love - The Academy Pee Wee Herman's Great Adventure - Genesis Sound of Music - Santa Clara Vanguard Parasite - Mandarins Doubt - Crossmen Blue Knights - I, Robot Brokeback Mountain - The Troopers Gone With The Wind - Spirit Dirty Dancing - The Cavaliers Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol - Blue Stars Hairspray - Boston Crusaders Legally Blond - Music City

Whaaa? I didn’t know a post could be so wrong and insulting in just one sentence!

That show is crazyyyy good. Crown is HUNGRYYYY

So excited for all of the corps! After so many years of BLAHHHHHHHH, a real DCI show is NEEDED. I am most interested to see the reactions to Mandarins. There show is incredible and I think will really shock a lot of people. There are also a few elements that will make a very small number of folks grumpy, but it will be hard to hear them over the MASSIVE crowd reaction I think they will receive. I'm pretty conservative with my predictions and tend to do pretty well, but I think Mandarins are going to jump a couple spots in placement. The design is incredible and the talent level is there. So excited to have folks see the show!

Just got back from Mandarins Family Day performance. They asked that no pictures or videos be posted, so I won’t. WHOOAAAAAAAAA! I’m a little speechless after seeing the show and can’t wait to see it again. It was far, far better than I was expecting. The corps sounds fantastic, looks great, and the show is really cool! I can’t see this show finishing below 10th place. It is clear that the Mandarins ascent is continuing. Some takeaways: Guard: Yowzers! They have upped their content and achievement SIGNIFICANTLY from last year. MUSIC: Notes, notes, and powerful moments. They sound fantastic. Such power! VISUAL: Such great use of props that move A LOT and they are integrated into the drill. There is a part where the corps moves through the props and it is incredible. Field coverage is CRAZY. This show has so much room to grow, I think folks are going to be shocked (again) by the Mandarins. I’m going to call it now: Mandarins will finish 9th or higher at finals. What an unbelievable night.

As a bit of an update, there is another investigation going on connected to Spirit of Atlanta. I know some folks are aware, but I know that at least one person who brought forth concerns has asked for nothing to be shared at this time, so I'm going to withhold sharing for now. This investigation is not limited to Spirit and/or drum corps. I'm not vague posting, but I am trying to bring attention that there is more happening that led to this decision/directive for Spirit to suspend operations for 2022. I've moved from shocked to anger to determination to do something the more I learn about how many abusers have been allowed to stay in this activity because people are afraid to "name names" or call organizations out or simply allow folks to "pursue other opportunities." It is sickening.

The rookie talent night is only ONE of a long line of concerns. A member who was repeatedly harassed and eventually assaulted with little to no action of multiple staff. An investigation (which was poorly done) was able to confirm this. Spirit is handling this horribly. They blocked an alumni who was brave enough to share her story after MONTHS of them dragging their feet to enact change. It is continuing a culture where they do not want members to speak up. This is absolutely infuriating. I don’t want to question your intentions, but it feels like you are trying to deflect from what has and is actually happening. By saying “there is another side of the story” it feels as if (hopefully unintentionally) you are victim blaming or saying bad things didn’t happen - especially without ANY proof. If you have any, or if anyone does, please share it. Otherwise, please don’t take light away from serious problems that just be addressed.

https://postimg.cc/bZ7xttS9